Part 2
Nighttime
Two guards stood in front of the entranceway to the war consul hut, the spears in their hands forming an X formation in front of the fur-covered opening, which served as a door. Upon noticing Xena stride toward them, they promptly parted the spears allowing her entrance before quickly resuming their post, effectively blocking Nanoha and Fate from entering.
"Can you let us pass through?" Nanoha asked politely.
"I'm afraid not. Only Amazons or Amazon leaders are allowed entry."
Hearing the confrontation Xena backtracked. From behind, she lay a hand on each of the guards' shoulders startling them. "Let them through their with me." She commanded.
Not wishing to upset the warrior, they hastily moved aside allowing Nanoha and Fate entrance, and into a heated debate between the Amazon elders and the younger amazons, which soon quieted once their presence was noticed.
One of the elder amazons with some faint wrinkles across her forehead, crow's feet around her blazing blue eyes, and a ponytail of long gray hair, stood up in outrage. "This is no place for outsiders! Leave at once!"
Gabrielle's polite yet commanding tone gently scolded the amazon elder "Lire, that is no way to speak to our guests."
The old women bowed her head to her queen, but defended her actions "My apologies, Queen Gabrielle. But, this is a war counsel amongst amazons not outsiders and according to amazon law-"
She was interrupted by her queen, "I am very much aware of the law, Lire. However, Xena's knowledge will be useful to our cause."
"Xena is not the issue for she is your consort that makes her an Amazon.-"
Consort? Are they married? Fate glanced between Xena and Gabrielle, an image of Nanoha and her at the alter emerging. No! Our relationship isn't like that! Another part of her interrupted But you want it to be. She listened with half an ear to the world outside, her internal conflict between her desires and reality proved more distracting then she liked.
"- I was addressing the two behind her."
The attention in the room shifted to Fate and Nanoha's neutral expressions.
Gabrielle mentally sighed, some of her elders were sticklers for tradition and law, I hope Xena can come up with a good excuse for this. "Xena, care to explain."
Xena calmly explained, even though she was utterly annoyed "I'm sure you are aware of their skills, after seeing them win against your best amazons and even me. We can use that to our advantage and they themselves want to join our fight, but in order for this to work, they need to know the amazon territory and way. There's no better place to learn then right here and now. You have any objections?" She targeted her question to the elder, her tone daring the Amazon to challenge her.
Seeing the elder was going to in deed object Fate stepped in front of Xena "Look if it's any consolation, Nanoha and I have experience leading squadrons and strategizing battle plans, and I have to agree with Xena in order for us to fight well we need to know what's going on."
"That's all well and good, but you're still not an amazon." Lire stubbornly persisted.
Xena gave Gabrielle a pointed look telling her to do something "Look how about we put it to a vote, all in favor say 'Aie'"
A chorus of Aie's went around the room except for three out of the seven amazons. "The 'Aie's have it. They stay. Now let's get down to business."
Lire fumed she couldn't believe her follow amazons, the young ones have no respect for our traditions and laws but I am even more surprised by my fellow elder voting against me. She never did voice her opinion considering she was outnumbered and her protest would have landed on deaf ears.
Epinon, the weapon master, signaled for Nanoha and Fate to join in by making room for them in between her and another young amazon. They went to sit there while Xena sat between Gabrielle and the elder, who voted in their favor.
Some maps and amazon masks decorated the brown walls of the hut. In the center was a round wooden table big enough to sit 10 people. Oil lamps scattered around the room softly illuminated the strewn maps, depicting amazon territory, lying across the table's surface. The seating arrangement around the table was divided, with the younger amazons on the left side and the elders on the right with Gabrielle and Xena separating the two sides at one point on the circle.
Nanoha and Fate studied the maps, reading the Greek lettering with the help of their devices, which had a unique built in program that allowed the devices to decipher any language whether the programmer knew it or not, and input the knowledge into their users minds. This allowed the user to communicate in the natives own tongue and written language without the hassle of learning each individual language of every culture, and was part of the reason why the TSAB was so successful in managing all the worlds in the universe.
"Before we walked in I overheard your debate about whether or not to assist the Centaurs in battle." Xena started off, all eyes staring at her.
"Yes, the elders are against it, while I and the other amazons think it would be beneficial if we work together." Gabrielle recounted.
No surprise there. Xena thought. She whispered into Gabrielle's ear, "did you send them a message?"
"Yes. They should have already received it." Gabrielle whispered back.
Xena nodded then turned her attention to the awaiting group "Alti is coming from the Northwest so she'll have to pass through Centaur land first before reaching us. As you know Centaur land is all open fields, and for an Amazon the best place of attack is from the trees."
The amazons nodded their heads in agreement.
"If we send amazons to Centaur land, we'll be at a disadvantage fighting wise, however if we place Amazon archers here" She placed her finger on the junction between Centaur and Amazon land "we can fight from the trees picking off some of her men as the Centaur's deal with the rest on the ground."
No one objected there was no need to. The plan was logical and advantageous.
"Xena that won't stop her. She outnumbers us and the Centaurs combined." Gabrielle's said in concern.
"I know. I'm planning on setting traps beneath the ground that should cut down a good portion of her army."
Nanoha and Fate were impressed it was a good plan, if everything worked out.
Nanoha spoke up "What kind of traps are you setting?"
"Spiked trenches and deep pits. I'll have the Centaurs strategically placed to lure them in. After that, the battle should consist of open field combat. The Centaurs will continue their ground attack and we can send some of our best ground fighters to assist them while archers cover them. We can't let Alti beat the Centaur's if we do we'll most likely be next. It's best if we work together to defend both our lands." Xena added to persuade the elders.
"Very well Xena, we'll do it your way. But if we lose too many amazons we'll pull back and continue our fight in the forest." Lire commented.
"Then are we all in agreement?" Gabrielle asked looking at each amazons face.
No one objected. "Good. Then meeting is adjourned."
Each amazon slowly got up and left the room leaving Gabrielle and Xena behind to talk with the still seated Nanoha and Fate.
"Is there something on your minds?" Gabrielle asked them.
"Not necessarily your plan is well thought out. I just can't help but think what if she doesn't go through Centaur land and head straight here?" Nanoha said.
Xena answered confidently "she won't, she'll want to attack the Amazon's from Centaur land because even with a large army they are at a disadvantage when fighting against Amazon's on their own turf."
"I am aware that fighting anyone on their opponent's home ground is disadvantageous, however you said she was an amazon. So, she has the advantage of knowing how an amazon fights. She can use that knowledge to her advantage, and most likely be successful in her attack." Nanoha continued.
"You raise good points Nanoha. But, I know from experience she won't attack unless she thinks she'll win, even with her knowledge on Amazon fighting style. She likes to be subtle so she would most likely smoke the Amazon's out from the trees and kill them when they're on open ground." Xena answered.
"hmm." That would be the most efficient and effective plan Nanoha thought in response to Xena's answer.
"So is that all?" Gabrielle asked, making sure there were no lose ends.
"Yeah, unless Fate-chan has something to say" Nanoha said looking at Fate, who was unusually quiet throughout the meeting. It's seems like something is on her mind.
Fate shook her head from side to side "No. I'm good."
Nanoha looked at her curiously unconvinced, but Fate didn't notice, seemingly distracted by whatever thoughts were racing through her mind.
"Okay, then I'm going to hit the sack." Gabrielle said as she stood up, Nanoha and Fate following suit.
Xena grabbed their attention before they left, "I'm having a training session tomorrow. You going to be there?"
"Okay. What time?" Nanoha answered for the both of them.
"Early morning, it will run till noon. I want the other amazons to know what is expected of them." Xena replied.
Nanoha and Fate nodded their heads in confirmation, and made their way out with Xena and Gabrielle behind them.
They walked for a bit when Fate's voice entered Nanoha's mind. I'll meet you at the hut okay Nanoha. Fate stepped back and away from Nanoha.
What? Where are you going? Nanoha turned her head her eyes following Fate's retreating back.
I won't be long.
Nanoha sighed and continued on her way back to the hut alone, thinking about Fate's weird behavior.
Fate spotted the dark haired warrior walking beside a shorter blond and made her way over to them. "Xena, can I talk with you?"
Xena and Gabrielle turned to the source of the voice. "What is it?"
"Just something I'd like to know… can we… talk in private." Fate's red eyes glanced toward Gabrielle nervously.
Taking the hint, Gabrielle stretched and yawned, "I'm going to hit the sack. I'll see you soon Xena. Good Night Fate."
"Good Night" Fate said relieved.
Xena watched Gabrielle's turned back for a while, mentally shaking her head at her actions. She turned her attention back to a fidgeting Fate "Is there something wrong?"
Fate glanced around nervously maybe this isn't such a good idea. "Nothings wrong…. I was just um... curious about something that elder amazon said" Fate's gaze was directed at the floor, feeling it was the easiest way to get her thoughts across with the least amount of embarrassment. "About you being a consort to Gabrielle."
That's what she's so nervous about! "Yeah what about it?"
Fate looked up for a brief moment before averting her eyes again, staring unseeingly at the hut behind Xena. "Is it true?"
"Yes we were bonded last year in an Amazon ceremony."
Curious red eyes finally met her. "So you're married?"
"I believe that's what a bonding ceremony is." Xena said amused. "So why are you asking me this?" She continued curious as to why her bonding interested her so much.
Fate blushed "um… no reason… Just… ah…. Curious." She mentally cursed herself for stuttering.
Xena glanced at her with a knowing look. "does this have something to do with Nanoha?"
Fate's soul seemed to have jumped out of her skin floating around her body, as she entered shock. "NO!" She cried hastily. Cough. "I mean no." she said again more calmly and slower.
"Okay. You don't have to tell me, but if you need advice you know where to find me." Xena then left her standing there mouth agape, which quickly jammed shut as the thought of randomly flying bugs for dinner was less then appetizing.
Xena walked into the hut she shared with Gabrielle mentally laughing. The blonde's nervous and flustered reaction, all the way to her denial, utterly amused her.
"So what was that about?" Gabrielle said sitting up in their bed.
Xena started unbuckling her armor, before Gabrielle's practiced hands took over. "nothing. She just wanted to know if we were bonded."
Xena removed her breast armor now that Gabrielle was done.
"Oh, why did she want to know?" Gabrielle asked curiously, as she watched Xena remove her gauntlets.
"She wouldn't say. But, I think it has something to do with her friend."
Gabrielle's eyes brightened, "Is she thinking about proposing? They were all cuddly and close when we were traveling with them, and they do have a kid together." Her eyes went all dreamy and hazy as she thought up some plans. "We should gently nudge them in the right direction."
Xena's blue eyes not a few centimeters away from her own green ones gave her a look as warm air brushed her face, "don't start." She leaned back, "They should go at their own pace."
"Oh! Come on Xena! That could take forever. It took us two years!" Gabrielle said exasperated, the warrior was so not a romantic when it came down to it.
"Still we shouldn't be meddling in their lives." Xena said firmly, lying back on the bed.
Gabrielle joined her resting her head on her chest as an arm went around her waist. "You're stubborn."
"And you're nosy."
"Hmm, I think we complete each other quite nicely." Gabrielle said smiling.
"I couldn't agree more." She heard Xena's voice rumble through her chest.
Fate stepped through the hut, Nanoha greeting her, as her mind was lost in thought.
"Fate-chan!"
Startled she looked at Nanoha.
"What's going on you've been standing there staring at the same spot for a while now, and you wouldn't answer me."
She's worried. "Nothing's wrong, I've just been thinking that's all." Fate tried to reassure her by smiling warmly.
"Okay. So where did you go?"
"No where special. Where's Vivio?" Fate said looking around the room.
Nanoha already annoyed by Fate's strange behavior answered curtly, "Sleeping. Now don't change the subject, I want a proper answer."
"I'm not one of your students. You can't tell me how to answer." Fate said coldly. That came out wrong. I didn't mean it Nanoha. I'm sorry. Of course she didn't voice it.
Nanoha's head fell, her bangs covering her eyes. "You're right you're not one of my students" she gazed into troubled red eyes, "but I thought as your friend you could tell me what's bothering you. Guess I was wrong." She turned her back towards Fate and made her way to bed, not even giving her a second glance.
Damn it. I made her upset. I'm such an idiot. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. She stood there in silence unable to say how she felt. Eventually, she made her way over to the bed.
Nanoha lay turned away from her, giving a wide berth where there was no possibility of bodily contact. Fate mentally sighed. She caused this mess and couldn't fix her way out of it either. I deserve this. Me and my stupid mouth! Stupid feelings! She didn't exactly know what she was feeling, it was like a mixture of emotions that tugged her every which way without direction, it drove her crazy and caused her to react defensively and coldly toward Nanoha.
She lay their fuming at herself as Nanoha lay on the opposite side upset. It hurt her that Fate couldn't confide in her, but she couldn't force her to either. Maybe she'll tell me later. She tried to console herself, but it didn't help much. They lay there the rest of the night each in their own world, Fate trying to sort herself out and Nanoha hoping for the best.
Next morning
A hand stretched up and Fate yawned. She sat up noticing two things: one the bed was cold meaning Nanoha had been up for a while, two she couldn't find her anywhere. I hope she's not avoiding me.
She went into Vivio's room, but saw the girl's bed was already made. She felt lonely. She hadn't realized how used she'd grown to seeing Nanoha and Vivio's smiling in the morning. Just thinking about them brought a warm smile to her face. I have to apologize. She firmly decided, rehearsing in her head how she would do it as she left the hut.
Training Field
She found Nanoha with a rope in hand and two other amazons talking to her about something. She slowly walked over to her mustering up the courage to apologize. Nanoha didn't take notice of her approaching form, too engrossed in the amazons' teachings to pay attention.
Fate cleared her throat. Clear blue eyes darkened to a deeper blue upon noticing her, Fate mentally winced knowing she was the cause of her sadness.
The other two amazons taking note of the tense atmosphere left, giving Nanoha and Fate their privacy.
All the rehearsing she had done left out the window as Nanoha watched her, patiently waiting for her to say something. "Nanoha I… I'm…" why is this so hard? She took a deep breath soothing herself before sincere red eyes gazed at patient blue, "I'm sorry."
Nanoha sighed, "What for Fate-chan?"
"For being a jerk yesterday. I didn't treat you right, and I'm sorry for that it was just that I was confused and… I don't know… I wasn't myself." Fate said honestly regretful.
Nanoha shook her head, "No. I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm sorry."
They realized there fight was stupid, but that's how things are between good friends you fight over the silliest things and then make up, feeling relieved and happy that the other still cares.
Now that she apologized Fate noticed Vivio wasn't with Nanoha ."Where's Vivio?"
"She's with her new friend Lidea." Nanoha said.
Fate nodded.
"So what's with the rope?" she gestured to the object in her hand.
"Oh this." Nanoha lifted the loop of rope "The amazons are teaching me how to climb trees."
"Climb trees?" Fate raised her eyebrow.
Nanoha spoke excitedly, she loved learning new things, "Yeah, you know like how they jump real high and climb up real fast, sort of like monkeys."
Fate giggled. "So you want to be a monkey."
Nanoha playfully slapped her shoulder. "No." Her eyes sparkled. "I finally get to learn their secret."
Fate shook her head. "Ok, then I'll leave you to your lesson." She turned around and started to leave when she felt a hand grab her wrist.
She turned her head curious red eyes meeting almost pleading blue, "You don't have to go."
Fate turned to face Nanoha. "Alright. I don't mind staying a while."
Nanoha smiled brightly. Fate's insides melted and felt glad they were on better ground.
She stood off to the side gazing at Nanoha, who stood in place bent her knees and jumped up and down, her feet only a few inches off the ground. A picture of a cute brown-furred bunny with blue eyes and twitching whiskers, staring at her, popped into Fate's mind. Unable to suppress it any longer, Fate burst out laughing the mental picture of bunny Nanoha, and her bouncing form just too much for her to handle.
Nanoha stopped jumping, "What's so funny?"
Fate looked at her, her face shifting to the cute bunny, and she felt like picking her up and cuddle. "Um, nothing you just reminded me of a bunny just then."
"A bunny huh." Nanoha's eyes held a playful twinkle. She placed two fingers to the side of her head and started jumping around her nose and mouth twitching side to side in poor imitation of a bunny's.
Fate laughed even harder at her antics her arms holding her stomach.
Nanoha stopped and joined her, feeling a soft warmth. Her laugh is like a medley of bells. So beautiful.
The sound of a throat clearing cut through their mirth. "Glad to see you two having fun."
They glanced at Xena while she spoke to Nanoha, "how's the tree climbing going?" She eyed the surrounding area finding the two amazons appointed to Nanoha gone, "and where those amazons?"
Just then, the two amazons returned. "Where were you?" Xena said in irritation.
"We went to check on another training group." An Amazon with short black hair and brown eyes around twenty said.
"Under whose authority?" They didn't answer. "Don't leave until she can climb like any other amazon. We don't have time to waste before we go to battle. I don't want any more fooling around got it." Xena scolded her tone remaining even but clearly disappointed.
"Our apologies we won't leave our post again." The other Amazon with long brown hair and green eyes said as they bowed their heads in deference to her.
"Fate, what position are you fighting? I need to know so that I can place you in the right training group." Xena said.
Fate thought about it. "Probably the ground forces."
"Along side the centaurs?" Xena asked to make sure.
"Yeah."
Xena nodded. "You'll have to see Epinon, you'll find her where the tournament took place. I'll be there shortly until then she will inform you about the basics. Okay?"
Fate nodded. Seeing everything was in order Xena left to check on another group in training.
"Guess you have to go." Nanoha said a bit disappointed.
"Yeah, I'll leave in a bit. I want to see you climb this tree before I go." Fate said encouraging her.
"Hmm. I'm sure I'll make it this time." Nanoha said with determination shining in her eyes.
"I know you will."
Nanoha stood with the two amazons under a branch 8 feet above the ground.
"The key is to find your center of balance so that when you push off the ground you have the most lift." The short black haired Amazon, named Danae, instructed.
Nanoha nodded remembering that part of the lesson from before, finding that balance is the hard part.
"I'll demonstrate it and Lina will help you." The Amazon took the proper stance: legs close together to the point of skin on skin contact, arms close at her sides, and back straight. She bent down deeply, her butt almost touching the ground, and sprung up from the balls of her feet. As her feet left the ground, she brought her body ramrod straight, her arms were held up ready to grasp. She caught the branch, and twirled around it before landing in a crouch.
Danae looked down at Nanoha from her new vantage point. "You got it."
Nanoha imitated Danae's posture, Lina adjusting her arms and legs, bringing them slightly closer together and aligning them properly.
Danae dropped from the branch landing in a crouch. She straightened her knees as Nanoha got ready to jump.
Alright here I go. Nanoha jumped, her body propelled upward from the ground like the release of tension from a tightly coiled spring. She soared through the air closing the distance between her and the branch. Her face glowed like the sun's warm gentle rays, I feel as light as a feather this is almost like flying.
She stretched her arms the branch inches away from her hands. She felt the rough bark brush the skin on the palm's of her hands as her body continued rising. For a millisecond, she felt as if she were floating, then it was gone gravity working on her again as she felt herself falling.
She clasped the branch and continued moving, twirling around like a gymnast. At the height of her swing, she let go. Her body flew straight up and flipped right side up, her feet landing on the branch as she crouched.
She gazed down at a beaming Fate, who gave her two thumbs up, and the shocked faces of the amazons. She smiled at herself proudly, guess I did good.
"Wow, it normally takes a week for an Amazon to actually grab the branch, let alone stick the landing, which is another week." Danae said amazed by her student's ability.
Nanoha dropped from the tree untying the rope around her waist, which was a safety precaution in case she fell.
"So, what's next?" Nanoha said brightly and eager to learn.
"Well you know how to jump onto a tree, land properly on the tree and ground" which we didn't even teach you yet. She must have picked it up during Danae's demonstration. Still she's amazing. "The only thing left is moving around in the tree." Lina informed her very much impressed with Nanoha's accomplishments.
Fate stood up from her reclined position against the tree immediately grabbing Nanoha's attention. "I'll be going. Okay Nanoha?" her gentle and mellow voice called.
Nanoha nodded in reply and turned her attention back to the amazons.
Fate left Nanoha in search of Epinon.
AN: It's 4:00 in the morning so forgive me if I sound incomprehensible, I can't really think straight right now. I tried to portray Fate's conflict- lovers vs. friends. The feeling to progress while not harming their friendship or hurting Nanoha, which she ended up doing when she was confused, and of course didn't like it but couldn't apologize because she wants more and is afraid to get it. I don't know if it came out. So you tell me what you think.
