Draco stood at the back of his army. He had enjoyed taking on the small militia that protected the home village of the young woman he had stupidly allowed to be sold to the princess. Or should he say empress. After all, if the rumors were true, it meant he would now be dealing with the realm's new leader. It didn't matter if she was the ruler of the known world, any female was beneath him. With one exception, the slave that he had allowed to get away.
The tiny militia had fought valiantly. Now it was time to squash them. The last report was that the slave had been badly injured in an attempt to find her way to him. Draco laughed at the thought. He was always surrounded and well-protected. Not that he needed it. He was one of the most renowned fighters in all the land. He was slowly building a following. One that would one day lead to taking over the leadership of the realm.
For now, Draco had to concentrate on the task at hand. It was stupid. It was petty. It was costing him some of his men as the militia was better trained than most small villages. It would be worth it to obtain his slave once again. He hadn't even had a taste of her yet. But if she was good enough for the empress, Xena was more than good enough for him. Though he made few mistakes, he always corrected them.
"There's someone fighting through the line!" Draco was brought out of his musings by the voice of his first in command. Hector didn't have to be asked. The man handed his general the looking glass a man had invented and Draco had stolen. Hector thought it looked as if it could be the princess. He hadn't seen her only from a distance once. He had been on the block, awaiting execution, when Draco had come to his rescue.
Draco took the looking glass. It was four lenses of different sizes. It made things that were quite distant look nearer. The image was rather blurry, but it was enough for the warlord to recognize. "The Empress! I thought she was too badly inured to fight." He shoved the looking glass back into Hector's hands. "No matter. Though her exploits are supposed to be legendary, there is no way she'll make it to me. And if she does…"
"She's not alone." Hector had taken it upon himself to watch the movements of the empress. It was partially because he didn't want to underestimate his opponent. It was also because he knew. Knew the legend that was Princess Gabrielle. There had never been a fighter like her born of royalty before. There would never be like any in the future. Though he had been sentenced to be executed, it was by her father. She was someone he wanted to meet and perhaps learn from.
The looking glass was roughly ripped from Hector's grasp. Draco once again found the irritating young blonde. His eyes grew as he realized she was not even receiving one blow. It was as if she was possessed. She was a killing machine. More worrisome was the fact she wasn't alone. There was a woman fighting at her back. It wasn't his slave, but it was someone he wanted as one. The leather and armor gave her away. She was an Amazon.
"That makes things interesting." Draco once again shoved the looking glass back into Hector's unsuspecting hands. "We are losing too many men. Tell them to lay down their arms and allow the two women to meet with me. Prepare my tent. These are royal visitors so prepare it as such." Hector's salute was met with a rolling of the eyes. The warlord continued to watch, without the aid of the looking glass, as Gabrielle and Ephiny took out at last twenty of his men.
Draco shook his head. His tests to join his army were apparently unworthy if two women, albeit the realm's greatest fighters, could so easily make their way through his army. From a distance, it appeared it was without any harm to themselves. The fact none of his men could even touch the two women disgusted him even more. There would be all sorts of drills that needed to be done as soon as he dealt with the two women and the weak excised from his army
"Draco, your tent is ready." Draco watched a moment. He would barely have time to take his bath before the two women were at his doorstep. The warlord shook his head. While he wanted to confront, if not kill the empress, this might not be the ideal time. Slowly, he tore his gaze from the petite blonde and sandy blonde. He made quick work of his bath and dressing in his best armor. The chair he sat upon could be considered a throne.
Draco barely had time to place himself in his most intimidating position. He leaned forward on his sword, while his free hand was placed over a dagger at his hip. Gabrielle threw open the tent flap. She was covered with blood, guts, sweat and dirt. She was a sight that would scare almost anyone. The key word being almost. Draco took in her appearance and that of the Amazon who was slowly following her in, kinda like a lost puppy dog.
The kind of puppy dog that Draco had attempted to beat as a child. His father had attempted to stop him. His father was his first kill and the dog had been his best friend until he sadly had runaway, never to return. He knew there was no way he would ever become best friends with an Amazon. But that wasn't what he wanted from her. She would be like a wild pony that needed broken properly. Draco had to calm himself before he was able to speak.
"The Empress of the realm." Draco eyed the blood covered crest upon Gabrielle. It was different than what her father had issued for his army. Jade eyes bore into him. This was not the same sweet innocent kid he had heard was sheltered by the pharaoh. Perhaps he had underestimated her. It didn't matter. Whatever she was like now, he would have his way with her. In the end, he would get what he wanted. Only one woman had resisted him, even after he had branded her.
"Lying, piece of dung." The sword was instantly in Draco's hand as he quickly stood. His men at the entrance had arrows aimed at Ephiny and Gabrielle. The warlord waived his men to stand down. The words had startled him. He hadn't expected such words from royalty. Although with what he had done to Xena, the empress' private property, he could completely understand why she was reacting this way. Gabrielle's sword was at her side. It was her sais in her hands.
"Is that anyway to greet the man who gave you such a gift?" Draco managed to contain his fury. He even managed to bow at the waist. Gabrielle snorted at the comment as she twirled her sais. She knew there was only one thing a man like Draco would respect. It wasn't words. That was why she had spoken the way she had. It didn't matter what she said. "Though I must admit, seeing Xena wind up in the royal palace makes me second guess my decision to give her up so easily."
Gabrielle slowly made her way towards Draco. The sword in his hand raised. He was now holding it with both hands. The arrows were once again trained on the empress. Ephiny had taken up a position so that she would be directly in line of the arrows. The empress tucked one of the sais in her belt. With the free hand, she gently traced the scar upon the warlord's face. It began at his ear and made its way to his mouth.
It wasn't a deep scar. But it was a constant reminder of what his slave had done to him. If anyone had branded the princess like Draco had been, she would also be angry. Unlike the warlord, Gabrielle wouldn't seek retribution. No, instead she would do what she was doing now. As much as she wanted to kill Draco for what he had done to her girlfriend, she would choose her actions carefully. After all, she was now empress of the realm.
Draco jerked his head away from the princess' touch. "I see my girlfriend did touch you and make it known she didn't want your advances." Dark eyes grew wide at the admission. "That's right. I'm here to tell you right now that if you even think about touching Xena, her family or Amphipolis ever again, I'll bring down the entire royal army on you, your men and anyone that you even thought you cared for."
The laughter didn't startle the princess. Gabrielle knew her foe thought he had the upper hand because of her father's supposed demise and Alti running the realm. While it was true she wasn't certain she had the entire royal army's support, she was certain that she had enough support to make good on her threat. There were those that would, she hoped, follow her because of her past victories. There would be those that followed Palaemon.
"You think this is an empty threat?" Draco shrugged the question away. With barely a motion, he signaled his men. Gabrielle anticipated the move. She moved with such speed, she was literally a blur. Even the trained Amazon could not react to the arrows being released. Luckily there were only two of them. The empress showed off a particular skill she had learned from a distant land. One that was not under the realm's rule.
It was the only time Gabrielle had gone against her father's wishes, at least when it came to battle. There was something about the people. They were so independent. They were so unique. It was a shame to have their traditions forced to merge with those of the realm of Greece. It was with gratitude that the leader of the time, Cleopatra, had taught her everything that she and her fighters knew. It was something few people knew she could do.
When the blur that had been Gabrielle finally came back into focus, she was holding both arrows. One had come within millimeters of hitting Ephiny's nose. The Amazon's eyes were wide as she took in how close to death she had come. The princess took the arrows and easily broke them. She knew all the physical effort she was expelling would cause her to collapse soon. For now, seeking revenge upon the man who had beaten Xena as a slave and again in battle was keeping her standing.
"Very impressive." Draco snapped his fingers. Instantly there were more men. A half dozen or so men were now blocking the entrance to the tent. They all were armed with a crossbow. "However, I don't think even with your many skills that you could catch half a dozen arrows." Gabrielle turned to face the man she easily loathed. One blonde eyebrow rose. It was defying the man. It was as if the princess was saying, 'You haven't seen anything yet'.
For the moment, Gabrielle holstered her sais. It wasn't in defeat. It was because she wanted Draco to think that he had the upper hand. There was a little surprise, at least she hoped there was one, waiting for Draco and his men. Still, he couldn't think he had won just yet. She wanted to savor this. And yet, she wanted nothing more than to get this over with. It was killing her not knowing the condition of her girlfriend.
Yes, Xena was safe with her mother in Amphipolis. The militia was battered but it wasn't beaten. It would die to protect its hometown. It had almost done so when Cortese had attacked. It was one of the many things Gabrielle regretted. It wasn't exactly her regret as it was her father who refused to do as his advisors suggested. Would it have hurt the realm's coffers to have patrols, even in the areas that weren't as populated?
"Now that we've gotten the pleasantries over with, why don't you come dine with me?" Draco looked the princess and the Amazon up and down. "Perhaps you'll want to bathe?" When jade eyes bore into him, he held up his hands. "I just meant that you have just been through battle. I bathed in your honor." When he was met with nothing but silence, Draco sighed. This was not a typical female. He wasn't certain how to handle her.
Gabrielle didn't waste any time with words. She had to stall a few more moments to make certain her surprise was ready for her signal. The princess nodded towards Ephiny. The Amazon stood by the table full of exotic foods. It took only a moment for Ephiny to choose something that was anything but exotic. The hunk of venison was speared by her dagger. Gabrielle made her way to the table. She too wanted nothing of the spoils of war.
Instead, Gabrielle took a wooden bowl and added several fruit to it. Draco raised an eyebrow at her choice. It had been made with purpose. The cherries she was eating was meant to be provocative. The princess wasn't stupid or naïve, even if some would think simply because she was a virgin she was. The way to throw most men and women off their game was to sexually distract them or to entice them. While she was inexperienced in physical love, the depths she had gone to secure favors would surprise her father.
Draco eyed the young woman. She was by his last count fourteen seasons old. What did age mean to him? Nothing really. But the fact she was playing with him in a sexual manner did something to him. Very few women affected him the way that this one was. So what if she was the empress? It didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun. It didn't mean that he couldn't take what he wanted. After all, her family wasn't always rulers of Greece.
Perhaps it was time for new blood. Draco relaxed enough to place his sword back at his hip. He took several steps towards the princess. Ephiny continued to silently eat her venison. Her hand was itching for her sword once again. While she knew the plan, she didn't have to like it. Gabrielle leaned back as if in open invitation. Once Draco was close enough, she offered him the bowl of cherries. "Care to do the honors?"
As Draco was reaching for the bowl, Gabrielle moved quickly. She placed herself and Ephiny behind the warlord as she aimed the pointed part of her sais at Draco's neck. The half dozen guards instantly had their weapons at the ready. Unless they were expert marksmen, there was no way any of them could even scratch the princess. "I think circumstances have changed. I might be in the middle of an enemy encampment, but I am the one in charge."
The elbow blow was one Gabrielle knew was coming. Instead of dodging it, she allowed Draco's elbow to make full contact with her body armor. The warlord howled in pain. "What have you got? Iron breasts?" Draco continued to rub his elbow as his men could not help but chuckle. "I advise you men to pay attention. While it might seem she's in charge, I'm really the one who has an entire army at my disposal."
At that moment, there were several bird calls. Ephiny didn't hesitate in sending out a responding call. Draco's body stiffened. On a few occasions he had attempted to overtake one tribe of the Amazons or another. The sound was familiar. It was like a rattlesnake's warning. It sounded just before it struck. With the sudden sound of battle permeating the tent, Draco knew that he had just been played. There were an untold army of Amazons fighting his men.
Draco felt the grip he was in lessen. He moved away from the princess and Amazon. He glared at them. His attention focused solely on Ephiny before he spoke. "We are several days' travel from any Amazon village. In fact, we are a full moon or so. How could you have summoned them so quickly?" The warlord retrieved his sword. If he was going to die, he wanted to do it on his own terms. "And why would the Amazons, of all people, fight for the realm?"
Ephiny glanced at the princess who nodded. While it was clear Gabrielle was still in charge, in this moment the Amazon was the one to answer the warlord. Ephiny had a sword in each hand. She twirled them as if warming up for a major battle. "The Amazons have decided allegiance to the Empress of the realm is acceptable. But the real reason we have come to eliminate you and your army is that Xena is now our queen."
It took everything for Draco not to drop his sword. The mistake he had made was the ultimate one. Going up against the empress of the realm was one thing. He had known she was cut off from her troops. That much was clear when she was traveling with the two women and the loan male. But to have at least one of the Amazon tribes at her disposal. And all because the slave he had allowed to get away had somehow become queen.
"How?" It was a stupid question but one he wanted to know the answer to. If there were no Amazon tribes around for many moons, how had they gathered so quickly? Or did he even want to know. With the sounds of hooting and hollering, his men were in the process of falling. That meant he would have to begin again. When he caught the hatred in the jade eyes, he wondered if he would even live to see another sunrise.
"Once things were settled in the tribe, I made certain the Amazons were following." Ephiny turned to Gabrielle. "At a distance of course so that no one would be the wiser." Their shared glance spoke volumes. Ephiny had been surprised when Gabrielle had pulled up on the way to Draco's camp. The princess had suggested they bring in the reinforcements. Though Gabrielle had never let it be known, she had been aware of the Amazons within two days travel.
Once they had the showdown in the cave with Valesca, Ephiny had sent Solari on an extra mission. It was to make certain the Amazon tribe knew exactly who was queen. It was also to make certain that the women knew there was potential danger for both their queen and the princess of the realm. While Solari had reported a divide on whether or not they should trust the princess, there was less of a divide on those that recognized Xena as queen.
"It's simple, really." Gabrielle held her sais at the ready as she slowly made her way towards Draco. The guards now held their weapons at their side. Wise men like this could do well in her army. "I will offer to any man or woman in your army their freedom. They can go home or they can serve the realm by joining my army." The six guards looked at one another. It was clear they were relieved, having wondered if they were dead men simply because they had followed Draco blindly.
"As for you, I haven't decided." Gabrielle easily placed one of her sais in her belt. The other one pulled Draco's sword from its sheath before she proceeded to slowly unarm the warlord of his various daggers. When she found the one kept near his groin, he raised an eyebrow. "I know very well all the hiding places. And men think that their extra appendage will hide any weapon." She held up the dagger. It was longer than from her elbow to wrist. "And most men are fooling themselves."
The growl that escaped Draco was the warning. It was the excuse Gabrielle had been waiting for. Although as the princess or empress of the realm, she didn't really need an excuse, the person she was needed one. With the tip of her sais, she grazed the other side of Draco's face as he lunged at her. Ephiny was ready. She easily hit the man with one of her chobos. Draco fell to his knees, his hand managed to touch his cheek and see the blood before he fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Now you have matching scars you bastard." Gabrielle was shaking with rage. The thought of the man touching her girlfriend was nearly too much. The sais that had inflicted the blow was pulling back. Ephiny wanted to say something, stop her friend from making the decision to be judge and executioner at the same time. As empress, she had the right. But the person would regret the decision. It was one Ephiny had made and regretted still.
Ephiny was about to say something when the sais was forcefully shoved into its boot sheath. The other remained in her belt. It was easier access. And while most in the army were probably intelligent enough to take her offer, there would be those that were stupid enough to attempt to go against her. Draco would be one of them. The six guards instantly went down to one knee and crossed their arms over their chests in salute.
Gabrielle knelt down so that she was on the same level as the soldier. She might be empress, but she was not about to act royal. At least not the kind of royalty that her father expected of her. "Listen to me. What I told Draco is the truth. I want you to let everyone know the fighting stops now. Tell them what I said, that if they show their loyalty, no punishment will come to them." Gabrielle arose and waited to see if the men would react.
It was like watching a bunch of bumbling idiots. They rose so quickly that they hit their heads together. Gabrielle shook her head as the men tripped over themselves, their weapons and the tent flap as they hastily exited. It was only a few moments before the sounds of battle began to dwindle. The princess relaxed for a moment. Until she heard the groan escaping from the warlord who Ephiny had taken the liberty of tying up as Gabrielle had dealt with the guards.
Draco looked up from his prone position. Jade eyes were boring into him. He knew that he'd have to be careful with what words he chose to speak at this particular moment. His life was literally in the hands of the fourteen year old princess. Ephiny roughly helped the warlord into a sitting position before she began tending the wound on his cheek. Draco flinched. The Amazon turned to Gabrielle. "It's worse than I thought. Stitches."
Gabrielle nodded. She continued to stare at the man who had mistreated and scarred her girlfriend. The war waged on inside of her. She wondered if this hate, this disturbing need for vengeance was her father coming through. Jade eyes closed before allowing the hatred to subside, at least enough to be objective as far as the man sitting on the floor before her. "Find a healer. If not one of Draco's men, one of the Amazons." As Ephiny was about to leave, Gabrielle added, "Please."
Ephiny blinked. She was surprised by the added word. The Amazon had thought they were beyond this. That they had an understanding. While in her eyes Xena would always outrank the princess of the realm, she would also lay her life down for Gabrielle. It wasn't even because she was obviously betrothed to her queen. It was because of the person Gabrielle was and continued to show herself to be. "As you wish, my Princess."
The Amazon winked at her princess before she exited the tent. Part of Ephiny wanted to find someone to carryout Gabrielle's orders. The thought of leaving the princess alone with Draco wasn't pleasant. However, twice now Gabrielle had proven she could restrain from doing something she would regret. At first Ephiny wondered how? As a warrior, it would be easy to simply strike out at the man who had harmed her girlfriend.
Once again Gabrielle did things so unlike her father. The princess sat on the floor in front of her enemy. Her sais was within her grasp. In fact, she rested her hand on the hilt. "Now the question of what to do with you and others like you comes to the forefront. Though you are a special case, are you not?" Draco only glared at the princess. "For if my understanding is correct, it isn't only Xena that you badly mistreated. And you won't change, will you?"
Chocolate eyes continued to stare into jade ones. There was so much hate in those eyes. Draco was shocked to see it. Not because he thought Gabrielle was incapable of hatred. He simply didn't think a commoner such as Xena was worth it. While she had a fantastic body and a spirit to match, she was from the rustic part of Greece. And she was a slave. How could a slave go from simply being a servant to being betrothed to the princess of the realm?
"I don't understand you." Draco leaned his head against the support he was propped up against. "You sought vengeance for a simple village girl." Gabrielle's eyes darkened even more. The anger was increased once again. Her hand was itching on the handle of her favorite weapon. It wouldn't take much and the princess' resolve might very well snap. "Girls like her are a dozen a dinar. Why do you think I sold her? Of course, had I know it was to you…"
Gabrielle was making a habit of making Draco look much the fool. She moved so quickly, the warlord never even managed to flinch. It wasn't until after the point of the sais was pressed firmly into his neck he managed any movement. A small trickle of blood made its way down his neck. Gabrielle could hear the tent flap open and close. Even without the interruption, she wouldn't have gone any further. "Women like Xena are worth more than a million of people like you. Meaning me killing you isn't worth it."
The princess stood, turning her back on Draco. Ephiny stood at the entrance to the flap. There was a strange woman standing behind her. Gabrielle assumed it was an Amazon healer. "He has another hole to patch up." She stood to the side as the stranger smirked. The young redhead made her way to the warlord. Gabrielle watched a moment before returning her attention back to Ephiny. The adrenaline she had been running on finally had dissipated. Enough so that she wavered slightly.
It was as if Ephiny could read the situation. There had been many times when the Amazon had battled for hours. The moment the fighting had ceased, the energy she had found deep within herself had faded. It wasn't any different now as Gabrielle had been running on vengeance. It wasn't what most warriors would term as vengeance. And yet, leaving him scarred and to live with the fact he never even pulled his sword was the ultimate bruise to his ego.
Ephiny waited until Draco was being attended by Renealt. The young Amazon healer was capable of healing and defending herself. Ephiny placed her arm around the princess. There was thankfully another tent not far away. The amazon guided her friend to the tent, discovering it was the weapons tent as soon as they entered. There weren't any places to lay down, but there was a crate of some kind of weapon to which Gabrielle was guided to.
"I need to get back to Xena." It was unnecessary to say. It had been the unspoken outcome. Once Draco and his men were taken care of, Gabrielle would head back to Amphipolis. The small woman felt the days upon days of fighting catching up to her. The last time she felt this horrible was when she was five or six. She had been taken on a mission to expand the realm's borders by her father's general of the armies.
What made her think of Borias at a moment like this, she had no idea. It was most likely because of how weak she was feeling. The campaign had taken them to foreign lands. It had also exposed them to elements they had not been used to. It was now why Gabrielle could easily become sick if she wasn't careful. The last she had seen of her former mentor was him with his wife taking off for parts unknown, her father having sent his best men after him.
A part of her hoped beyond hope that Borias and his family had survived her father's onslaught. It was something to keep in the back of her mind. For if Gabrielle was indeed in for a battle simply for the army, who better than to aid her than its one time general. There would be those that remembered Borias. There would be those that would remain loyal to him simply because of the glory he had brought to the army.
"We'll get started as soon as I have things sorted." Ephiny couldn't help herself. In the moment, Gabrielle looked so fragile. In the moment, she looked more like a child than the empress of the realm. There was a motherly instinct about the Amazon. Only Solari knew the fact there was a young man running around who looked so much like Ephiny. He resembled his father even more and was hopefully safe with his father's people.
"Thank you. I'd like to leave you in charge here, but I need you back in Amphipolis." Ephiny straightened. The thought the princess needed her made her heart swell. It made her ego grow. Even if she knew it was because of her high rank among the Amazons, it still made her feel amazing. "You know your people. Please let me know who you think would make an excellent leader. An organizer as well. They might be here for a few days."
"I know just the person. Eponin is known simply as weapon's master, but she is so much more. It might take a little convincing." Gabrielle arched an eyebrow, worried that it was because Eponin hadn't accepted the treaty that had been forged between the Amazons and the realm. "She's like all of us older Amazons." Gabrielle rolled her eyes. Ephiny couldn't be more than twenty seasons old. "She's more comfortable being a warrior than leader. But it's in most all of us."
The princess snorted her laughter. "Sometimes I can relate to that." And yet that wasn't exactly true. All Gabrielle wanted was to be on a farm somewhere or maybe running an inn. It wouldn't matter where she was or what she was doing as long as she was with Xena. "Please make haste." Their eyes met. Again, words didn't need to be said to express the emotional pain Gabrielle was suffering from. The separation was becoming too great.
Ephiny nodded. She paused for a moment when she sensed something. What, she couldn't be certain. It wasn't necessarily a bad presence, but it was an influence of some kind. Reluctantly she left her friend alone, hoping she was making the right decision. As soon as Ephiny had left, there was a shimmering of light. There was the scent of roses and lilacs. Instantly, Gabrielle leaned back to rest her head on the crate behind her to take in the familiar figure.
"Sweet Pea." Aphrodite made her way to her charge. It had been too long since she had seen the princess or at least felt like it had been. Or was she was the empress? What the goddess knew would change everything. But she was still under orders from her father not to interfere. As was her brother, she only wondered if he would honor the command as she was. Being here was only for moral support. "I can't stay long. Pops has imposed a no contact with our charges until we clean up our act rule."
Gabrielle shook her head. She knew they were gods. She knew that they had untold power. It was even said that they created man. The princess wasn't certain about that fact. All she knew was that they could wipe out all humans in the blink of the eye. "Thanks. It's not been easy. So much is happening." Gabrielle took a deep breath. She knew Aphrodite meant well, but what she needed was to be with Xena. "I just need to be with her."
"I know, Sweet Pea." Aphrodite snapped her fingers. A padded stool appeared next to the crate Gabrielle was using as a chair. The goddess sat down and pulled the princess towards her. What she loved about this particular mortal was how easily she could have been her daughter. While Aphrodite had Cupid and loved him dearly, she had always wanted a little girl. It was part of the reason she had chosen the young woman.
There was also the fact she knew that there was not an easy life ahead for her. If Aphrodite could help by offering a shoulder to cry on or helping give her the emotional stability that her father had never given her, it was a win-win situation. Now if only she could heal her charge. Emotionally wasn't necessary. As soon as she was reunited with her soulmate, she would be fine in that regard. It was the physical condition that worried the goddess.
Not because it was life threatening. It was because Gabrielle was one of those that would make certain everyone else was all right before tending to herself. Had she not been as in bad condition as she was; she never would have allowed Xena to care for her. At least not as long as she had because part of it was simply allowing her soulmate to take care of her. It was a give and take relationship. And right now Gabrielle needed to be the one giving, not taking.
"If I could pop you back, I gladly would." Aphrodite gave her charge a gentle squeeze. Simply touching her charge gave Gabrielle a strength she hadn't truly felt since she had left her injured girlfriend behind. It was as if the Goddess of Love was channeling Xena and sending her love. Gabrielle sighed. It helped her face the fact she would have to soon be leaving. And unlike the ride she had forced herself to endure, she would have to allow for another wagon ride.
"I know." Gabrielle pulled back. She looked into amazing blue eyes. They weren't the azure ones of her girlfriend, yet they were still quite impressive. There was a question on the tip of her tongue. Why? Why would a goddess take such a personal interest in a mortal? Even if that mortal had a limited amount of power compared to a god, it still made her wonder. And yet asking the question was not something she could do.
As was with life, sometimes asking questions was not for the best. Sometimes accepting the gifts we are given, such as a soulmate entering one's life, was all one could do. There was also the fact that Gabrielle had silently prayed to Aphrodite since she was a wee child. It had seemed right, even though Herodotus had forced her to make public offerings to Ares. War, though she was a warrior, never appealed to her.
Love was what had always appealed to her. It was why she was so thankful for the fact Xena had entered her life. They still had a long road to travel until they could be together as a married couple. It was something they would be one day, of that there was no doubt in Gabrielle's mind. Instead of asking, she decided it was time to properly thank her goddess. She stood, taking Aphrodite's hands in her own. "Thank you for being you and being here for me."
"Always, Sweet Pea." Aphrodite was surprised when she felt the soft lips upon her cheek. Not because she didn't think Gabrielle was the affectionate type. It was because she was a goddess. Affection like this was rarely, if ever, shown to her. Especially by her father. It was one of the things she hated about being the Goddess of Love. She could give affection, teach mortals to love. But she couldn't teach her fellow gods what love was.
At that moment, Ephiny chose to return. She had a fairly tall Amazon with her. The hair was dark and the look was formidable. It was clear this was the sister Amazon Ephiny had spoken of. The curly-haired Amazon glanced at the way Gabrielle was holding her hands. When the princess turned back to say something to her guardian, she found Aphrodite had vanished. The smile upon Gabrielle's face never wavered as she felt the trail of love left behind.
"Eponin." Gabrielle gave a traditional Amazon salute before she held out her hand. Epinon returned the gesture before grasping her entire arm. "I wish we could be meeting under better circumstances. And I hate to thrust this responsibility upon you. I'm certain Ephiny has filled you in." Epinon nodded. Another woman of few words. Gabrielle was used to dealing with those. "I need to get back to Xena, Amphipolis. I have a feeling it's where I need to be."
Eponin only nodded and saluted before turning to go. Gabrielle could not help chuckling. There was a wave of nausea and dizziness that rushed over her. Ephiny called out, hoping one of her fellow sisters was near. Gabrielle attempted to walk, but stumbled. It was safe, strong arms she felt herself wrapped up in. It wasn't her friend. Emerald eyes blinked several times before she found herself looking into loving azure eyes.
Gabrielle sat up quickly. She wasn't certain where she was. When she heard the adorable murmurs, she quickly laid back down. The arm that had been knocked away was instantly around her waist once again. The scent was enough to inform her who she was lying next to. The fact Xena snuggled closer to her was only a bonus in telling her at least who she was with. The where she was still was escaping her.
"Good morning." The words were barely whispered. Gabrielle turned her head to search for the speaker. The voice was familiar, but only vaguely. It was the dark-haired young woman who had assisted Cyrene in taking her to Xena's room when she had first arrived in Amphipolis. Lila quickly rose from the chair she had been sitting in, waiting for either Xena or Gabrielle to stir. "Cyrene wants to know when either of you is awake. I'll be right back with some broth."
"Wait." Gabrielle managed to sit up without disturbing her girlfriend. In fact, Xena's head ended up in her lap. Without even thinking about it, Gabrielle began running her hands through silky dark strands. It seemed to relax both her and the woman she loved. "How many days have I been out?" Gabrielle hated to ask, but as empress, she needed to know. She knew between Palaemon, Cyrene and Ephiny, things would be taken care of.
"It's been nearly seven moons since you and Xena have been in and out of consciousness." Lila appeared to want to say more. The girl had been raised to respect her elders. While Gabrielle wasn't much older than she, she was the ruler of the land. And Xena was Cyrene's true daughter. Lila had spent many seasons attempting to be worthy to call her sister. Hopefully one day she would succeed. "You both have eaten and drank very little."
Lila handed the waterskin to the princess before she turned to go. She paused at the door was as there was a mumbling from Xena. The young woman said, "I love you, Gabrielle. I've always loved you." Lila blushed. Not because it was between two women. She'd spent enough seasons at the inn to know that love existed in all forms and was nothing to be ashamed of. It was simply overhearing who she considered her hero express such sentiment.
"I love you too, Xena." Gabrielle continued to run her fingers through her girlfriend's hair. Emerald eyes closed and her head leaned back against the wall. This was how she wanted to spend a majority of the remainder of her years. While she knew she had to be princess or empress, she wanted to spend time with the woman she loved. Being away from her while exacting her revenge on Draco had been almost too much to handle.
A whisper in the air and the familiar fresh flower scent caused Gabrielle to stiffen and become fully alert. The words had been ones she had not thought she would hear, at least not in the tiny village. She had thought the confrontation would happen at the palace. Perhaps that was a mistake having attempted to guess what Alti was up to. What she would do. The soft voice belonged to Aphrodite and it held a warning.
"Grab your sais." Gabrielle was glad when she found her weapons on the stand next to her bed. Reluctantly, she rolled Xena from her. She made certain that her girlfriend was comfortable before she stood, weapons at the ready. There was a bluster of wind. But there was nothing to be seen. Before she knew it, the door flung open. Lila was standing there. Alti had the young woman in her grasp. Her hands were wrapped around her neck.
It was so much like how Alti had grasped Xena. Instantly, Gabrielle took a step towards the evil woman. "Don't be a fool." The gravelly voice caused Gabrielle to stop instantly. "You have yet to experience my powers. If you could, I'd tell you to ask your girlfriend how excruciating it is but she's unfortunately unavailable. Now holster the weapons. We need to talk little girl." When Gabrielle hesitated, Alti strengthened her grasp.
Lila's whimpers instantly had Gabrielle's weapons back on the night stand. Instead of coming towards her enemy, Gabrielle sat on the edge of the bed. "You are a wise princess. And you would have made a very good empress. But it's not your time. It's my time. I have a proposition for you." Alti released her grasp on Lila. The young girl flung herself into Gabrielle's waiting arms. "How sweet. You are protecting little sister, even though you didn't know you are related."
Whatever else Alti had to say for the next several moments was lost on Gabrielle. She was holding her sister? How was that possible? Not that she was naïve about the birds and the bees, but how was this held from her all these years? And who else knew of their relationship? "I want you and your slut to crawl off into another place. Perhaps Chin will provide you protection. If not, I'll kill you and everyone you love. Including your girlfriend and your newfound sister."